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Cardiac ServicesTransmyocardial Laser Revascularization

A procedure used to reduce chest pain in patients who have serious heart disease and are either poor candidates for coronary artery bypass surgery or have had bypass surgery already and cannot have another. The procedure is not considered open-heart surgery.

How the procedure is performed

Transmyocardial revascularization uses a laser to make tiny channels (about the size of the head of a pin) through the heart muscle and into the lower-left chamber of the heart (the left ventricle), which is the heart's main pumping chamber. The surgeon makes the channels when the heart is pumping rather than resting because the heart's walls are thickest and less likely to be damaged then.

After transmyocardial revascularization, when oxygen-rich blood enters the left ventricle, some of that blood can flow through the tiny channels and carry much-needed oxygen to the heart muscle.

The procedure usually takes about two hours.

Recovery From Transmyocardial Revascularization

While transmyocardial revascularization improves the symptoms of coronary artery disease and chest pain, it may take three or more months to see improvement.